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Selecting your health and safety partner: A guide to choosing the right level of support
A practical guide for business leaders weighing in-house, ad hoc, retained, and competent person partnership models, with the criteria for choosing a provider that scales with your business.
What's inside this guide
This Opus Safety whitepaper helps business leaders choose the right level of health and safety support, now and as the business grows. It weighs the strengths and limitations of the four most common safety management models and sets out the criteria that separate a true competent person partner from off-the-shelf advice.
- Comparing in-house, ad hoc external, retained advisor, and competent person partnership models
- Recognising when it is time to review or expand your safety support
- Key selection criteria: cultural fit, competence and credibility, flexibility, and partnership approach
- The legal difference between a competent person and competent advice under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- What to expect from a digital compliance platform, occupational health, training, and HR support
- Side-by-side comparison of a competent person partnership versus standard competent advice
Use this guide to weigh the trade-offs of each model and select a provider that protects your people, supports growth, and embeds compliance into your culture.
Health & safety insights
Guidance, updates and practical advice for your sector.
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The RIDDOR public consultation: What it means for you
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Employer Health and Safety Responsibilities: Manual Handling Guide
Employer manual handling guide covering UK legal duties, risk assessments, MSD prevention, TILE controls and safety training.
What is Health and Safety Legislation? A Guide for UK SMEs
Understand UK health and safety legislation, including HSWA, risk assessments, RIDDOR and key regulations to keep your business compliant.
Your latest Opus Compliance Cloud upgrades
We’re constantly evolving Opus Compliance Cloud, our work-saving H&S software. See what’s new across the system – and what the changes mean for you.
Ready to strengthen your compliance
Book a consultation or request a gap analysis to see where you stand
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